NFC West gets more intriguing after more QB trades

The 49ers’ NFC West title defense just got more intriguing thanks to Monday’s quarterback carousel.

Shortly before the 49ers acquired Colt McCoy from the Cleveland Browns, the Seattle Seahawks traded away their only backup quarterback, Matt Flynn, to the Raiders.

The Arizona Cardinals joined the quarterback-transaction fray as they looked to upgrade from last season’s last-place finish in the NFC West. They released last season’s opening-day starter, John Skelton, and worked on acquiring Carson Palmer from the Raiders.

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Palmer’s potential move might not be as impactful as the Seahawks’ loss of Flynn, at least regarding the 49ers’ cause.

The Seahawks have built themselves into the 49ers’ staunchest contender in the NFC West. Meanwhile, new Cardinals coach Bruce Arians is inheriting a 5-11 team that allowed a league-high 58 sacks last season.

What will the Seahawks do for a backup to Russell Wilson, who blossomed into a rookie sensation with the Seahawks last season? Tyler Thigpen and Matt Leinart are under consideration, according to ESPN.

Wilson started all 18 games last season, including their two playoff appearances. The Seahawks, who are becoming a more-rounded team, still are counting onWilson’s durability. He passed for 3,118 yards (26 touchdowns, 10 interceptions) and ran for 489 yards (4 TDs, 33 sacks) as a rookie starter.

The 49ers are banking on Colin Kaepernick more than ever as their starter after trading Alex Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs. McCoy’s acquisition will add depth and also provide competition for Scott Tolzien, who’s been groomed just as long as Kaepernick (since 2011) in the complex and multi-dimentional scheme run by coach Jim Harbaugh and coordinator Greg Roman.

The 49ers might further add to their quarterback stable through this month’s draft, in which they still have 13 picks, including seven in the first four rounds. Their more pressing needs, however, exist at free safety, defensive line, cornerback, tight end and offensive tackle.

By dealing Flynn to the Raiders, the Seahawks reportedly are getting a fifth-round draft pick next year and a conditional pick in 2015, which is a far cry from the 49ers’ bounty for Smith (second-round pick in 2013, conditional third-round choice in 2014). Smith, however, is way more experienced with 75 career starts, as opposed to Flynn’s two.

Seattlealso is getting $3.25 million in 2013 salary-cap relief for Flynn, according to ESPN.com. Flynn’s most extensive action for the Seahawks came when he replaced Wilson on the Seahawks’ final series of a Dec. 23 rout of the 49ers, resulting in three kneel downs to kill the final 1:40.

While the Seahawks and 49ers have upped the stakes in their rivalry, the Cardinals are trying to escape the NFC West dungeon.

Palmer went 8-16 as the Raiders’ starting quarterback. He passed for over 4,000 yards last season during their 4-12 run, and his interception percentage of 2.5 per attempt was his lowest since 2005 and 2006, when he drew his only Pro Bowl berths with the Cincinnati Bengals.

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As for the St. Louis Rams, their biggest offseason move was to sign offensive tackle Jake Long in hopes he can protect Sam Bradford, who’s backed up by Kellen Clemens and Austin Davis.

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From what I’ve seen Tolzien has what it takes. So let’s concentrate on getting the best D backs we can.

Frank

It’d be wise to get a vet b/u…just for insurance. If not, Baalke needs to draft a QB who is adept at the run/option offense. NFC West will have Wilson, Kaepernick, Bradford and Palmer at QB…quite a bit different than a season or two ago. I like it…competition’s a good thing…makes you keep on improving. All of a sudden, Bradford’s got the most division experience.

snsf49loyal

I agree that Seattle has improved a lot however, my humble experience/knowledge of the game tells me that Russell Wilson has been flawless rather perfect game(s) last season. He is bound to have bad game(s) sooner or later, after extensive film study on him. Anyone remember Vince Young? On the other hand Kaepernick is still learning, he made mistakes, yet still took his team to the Superbowl. He will improve a lot this season, he has some areas he has to work on this off season such as ‘no huddle offense’. If he can learn the no huddle with or anywhere close to the efficiency of Tom Brady, Payton/Eli Manning & Aaron Rodgers, he could be a very dangerous QB. We we will see how it goes, we need to address our deficiency on defensive side of the ball, there are many holes to to plugged in.